ALLEN PARK >> DeAndre Levy has gotten more comfortable at the weakside linebacker spot through the second day of mandatory minicamp.

“I’m shifting to Will (weakside) this year, last year we played left and right so it’s kind of Will, kind of Sam, depending on the formation came up,’’ Levy said on Wednesday.

The new defense, under coordinator Teryl Austin is making several changes including moving Levy.

“It’s a little bit of an adjustment just learning different fits, different schemes and different ways we fit certain routes and runs,’’ Levy said. “It’s gotten a lot better since the first day we started, it’s starting to become more comfortable for all of us out there.’’

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Levy, who shies away from the spotlight, has still drawn attention. He was recently named the 59th best player in the NFL by the NFL Network.

“I didn’t find out about it until the next day but it’s cool,’’ Levy said.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Levy, a third-round pick in 2009, is just starting to scratch the surface of what he can be.

“He’s a talented guy, he’s smart, he works hard. He’s got great respect for his teammates, but is extremely consciences and he’s got talent, physically,’’ Caldwell said. “I think you’re going to continue to see him grow and develop.”

The move to the weakside could open up more possibilities for Levy.

“One of the things I think you find out about that particular position is that you give a good athlete range and area to work in and a little bit of freedom there, they can make plays for you,’’ Caldwell said.

The coach said Levy could play any of the three linebacker spots.

“He’s a guy that really could play all three of them if he wanted to,’’ Caldwell said, “But yes, I think it does give him a little bit more of an opportunity to do well in the pass game.”

Whitehead explosive

Tahir Whitehead said he’s basically a linebacker at heart.

“Wherever my services are needed that’s where I’m going to play,’’ Whitehead said after Wednesday’s minicamp.

The 235-pound linebacker, who was a fifth-round pick in 2012, is looking to find a role on the defense after playing mostly on special teams for his first two seasons.

“He’s an explosive guy. He’s got punch and can run. Certainly, he can direct traffic in there,’’ Caldwell said. “He’s got a real good feel for things. He’s a good football player. You see him close ground out there on the field. The guy can make plays. Obviously, Tully’s (Stephen Tulloch) a little bit bigger than he is in terms of weight and girth, not in terms of height. Nevertheless, I still think that he can function in there.”

So far, so good

On Thursday the Lions will wrap up the three-day mandatory minicamp. Then the players are off until late July when training camp opens.

Caldwell seemed pleased with the progress after two days.

“Guys have done a good job, just in terms of concentrating,’’ Caldwell said. “Oftentimes, you get toward the end and you’re not quite as sharp as you’d like to be, but I think, really on both sides of the ball, we’ve made good, steady, progress. I think the guys have learned extremely well. They’ve been attentive. It’s been enthusiastic. Certainly, we’ve got a long way to go, but I think we’re wrapping it up at the right time and the right way.